It’s become apparent in the benefice that I still need to do some explanation as to why liturgy is essential for right worship. So I’m plotting six or seven articles in the parish magazines about liturgy and related matters. They’ll probably start out as blogposts \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
However, in the meantime, Kyle<\/a> is on really good form at the moment. Check out his posts on monasticism<\/a> (definitely something I’m pondering with regard to Mersea) and even more, this post<\/a> which includes his comments:<\/p>\n Response to Con #1. Oh, if only we could teach people to \u201csimply recite praise to God\u201d! In the Catholic tradition, we understand that the \u201crigid\u201d liturgy teaches us to pray extemporaneously. The Church teaches us the language of prayer and praise, and until we start to use it, we don\u2019t even know what it would be like to \u201cmean\u201d it. Our \u201cincredibly rigid\u201d liturgy (I\u2019m choosing to claim that, I know you didn\u2019t put it on me) is expanding the imaginative world of our people to understand that they inhabit a world which is receiving the healing presence of this Kingdom where God lives and reigns.<\/p>\n In our tradition, there is very little of what you call \u201cvariety\u201d permitted, and I give thanks for that. As a matter of fact, we do the same thing every week, with \u201cdifferent songs, prayers [and] sermons.\u201d And it\u2019s a good thing.<\/p>\n Con #2. Christian liturgy is not meant to be comfortable for \u201cguests or pre-Christians.\u201d It is the rehearsal of the grand story that informs our lives, and it puts the lie to every other story by which people of this world lives their lives. Christian liturgy is political and prophetic, and God help us if those outside the community find it \u201ccomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n Con #3. In our tradition, laity read the scripture (great big chapters of it), serve the Precious Blood, and lead the bible classes. At the same time, the pastor is the Rector (ruler) and what he says goes in terms of Christian worship. The liturgy is bound up with pastoral care, and it is his responsibility.<\/p>\n Con #4. I suggest that for proponents of what you call \u201ccontemporary\u201d worship, the reason they struggle to be transformed is 1) the liturgy is inappropriate to begin with (did you eat Jesus this week?) and 2) they have yet to submit themselves to the Jesus who comes to them in what they call \u201cthe same old thing.\u201d Chasing after the next interesting thing only seems edifying.<\/p>\n Con #5. Clearly, one man\u2019s \u201clazy\u201d is another man\u2019s \u201cfaithful.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n A final word – the blogger (Jeremy) leaves a comment: “Thanks for the comments, Kyle and indie. Your word are very enlightening and I will reflect upon and learn from them.” Would that we all – including me – had such an enlightened attitude.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It’s become apparent in the benefice that I still need to do some explanation as to why liturgy is essential for right worship. So I’m plotting six or seven articles in the parish magazines about liturgy and related matters. They’ll … Continue reading